T.A series Volume 7: Feathers of Fury

Chapter 33 - Public Humiliation

Somewhere in one of the buildings not far from the hotel where Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko are, a dimly lit room was adorned with high-tech equipment, and multiple computer screens flickering with data and surveillance feeds. The walls were lined with shelves containing an assortment of gadgets and devices, evidence of a sophisticated operation. In the centre of the room, a figure sat in front of a large desk, their face obscured by the shadows.

The mysterious individual's fingers danced over a keyboard with precision, navigating through various systems and networks. They were orchestrating a complex web of surveillance, manipulation, and information gathering. The screen in front of them displayed a live feed from the hidden webcam in Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko's hotel room.

As the two girls left the room, the figure's lips curled into a chilling smile. "Ah, Mouri Ran and Suzuki Sonoko, you are playing right into my hands."

The figure's voice was laced with a cold, calculating tone as they spoke to themselves. They had been observing Ran and Sonoko's actions closely, anticipating their every move and setting traps along the way.

On one of the computer screens, a map of the city displayed various markers, each representing a different location. The figure's fingers hovered over the keyboard, selecting one of the markers and bringing up a detailed view of The Mayfair at Brampton Hotel.

"Let's make things a bit more interesting," the figure murmured.

Before the figure knew it, the lights lit up, revealing a rather startled sleek hair 10-year-old boy in an Edgewood Academy uniform. Turning his head to see who switched on the lights, he moaned, "Vera!"

"That will stop you from acting all so villainy," 10-year-old Veronica rolled her eyes at her kindergarten friend while approaching him, "Also, unlike the cartoon world, do you want to risk ruining your eyesight as a Youtuber?!"

The boy sighed and adjusted his glasses, his cheeks slightly flushed from being caught in the act. "You're no fun, Vera. I was just trying to set the mood, you know, like a criminal mastermind."

"Ellis, quit fooling around. This is for Ranran's sake," Veronica crossed her arms, her expression unamused. "Did you not get the full picture?"

"Alright, alright, you win," the boy admitted, waving his hands in surrender. "But you have to admit, it's kind of thrilling watching them stumble around, unaware that I'm pulling the strings."

"Of course it would be, now I am starting to see how Christopher and Ranran felt like when they did this Fox and Deer business before Christopher died...."

Ellis's expression turned sombre at the mention of Christopher's name. "You know, unlike what it is now, back then for the past 2 years, they did it on their own. With no adult to rely on."

Even Ellis stop typing his keyboard to pause at that thought. "Back then...when we barely knew about the hell he had to endure with his delusional mother...although he knew how to use the computer, he had to heavily rely on a then computer savvy 3-year-old Ranran to relearn all of it, because his mother forcefully homeschool him to become a pianist."

The girl's expression softened as she listened to Ellis's words. "That's right, and back then, all of us were all busy hating on each other when his stupid arrogant b**ch fiance Ernestine pinned almost the entire school against each other, with hopes that when Edgewood Academy shut down, she will be portrayed as the 'People's princess'. Had Christopher not intervened with Ranran, we wouldn't even be here right now."

Ellis's eyes held a mixture of emotions, memories from the past resurfacing. "Christopher was always the one who brought us together, even in the most difficult of times. He saw through all the pettiness and divisions and knew that we were stronger together."